Page 58 of Sensing Selma
SIXTEEN
Holly slept soundlyfor the better part of the night. Only occasionally did she murmur incoherently and become agitated. On these occasions, I held her tight and whispered reassuringly.
“Everything’s all right, Holly. I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere. You’re home, and everything’s going to be fine now.”
I slept lightly, always attentive to her cries. By the time the sun began to light the sky, I was exhausted, but eager to start the day.
I sat up and looked at her.
“How are you feeling this morning?”I said when she opened her eyes.
“Susan,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Yes. I’m here.”
But she had nothing more to say.
“Are you feeling all right? Are you hungry?”
She closed her eyes.
“Holly, please talk to me.”
She turned her head to look at the far wall.
“I’m worried about you. You were found in the cold and rain.” I touched her brow, happy to find it cool. Physically she appeared all right. It was her emotional state that worried me.
She shifted over to her side and turned her back to me.
“All right.” I patted her shoulder. “Rest. I’ll go have breakfast. Maybe I’ll bring you a little something? Maybe coffee?”
She shrugged but said nothing.
I got out of bed and prepared for the day. Once dressed, I headed out to go find my mother.
What should I tell her? I hadn’t told her anything about Holly the night before. I hadn’t said anything about my search for her. There was no point worrying her. But now...I had to tell her something.
I reached her door and knocked.
“Mother?”
I heard strange shuffling sounds through the door.
“Oh!”Mother cried out. “Just a second. I’ll be right there. Hang on. I’m coming. Just a second.”
I pressed my ear to the door, confused by the odd sounds and my mother’s reaction. “Mother, are you okay in there?”
“Fine. Fine, dear. I’m...” She opened the door and looked up at me from her wheelchair, an awkward grin on her face.
“You’re hiding something, Mother. What is it?”
Under different circumstances, her girlish smile would have amused me.
“Oh, dear. I was just working on that surprise I’m preparing for you. Just a few things to put away.”
I pressed a concerned smile. She was in such a good mood, so happy. I couldn’t bear the thought of ruining it.
